Featured Program: Peer Support

TALK IT OUT is intended for individuals and caregivers. Free. Confidential. Connect with others.

Monthly ProgramsPlease scroll down for more information, event title and to register, where appropriate.

Stretch It Out

Restorative Yoga- gentle practice to support the relaxation response Every Tuesday - 4:15pm - 5:45pm Facilitator:Allie Chisholm-Smith Restorative yoga class for people living with a cancer diagnosis, their care-givers and health practitioners. For people, in treatment, newly diagnosed, survivors, and for care-givers.

​For beginners to seasoned yoga participants this restorative yoga practice is integrated with mindful meditation. ​Please bring a yoga mat (if you have one)Register now by calling Ahimsa at (705) 789-0367​ Investment: There is no cost

Talk It OutPeer Support for individuals and their caregivers.Come and spend time with others who are living your experience. Patients can sit with others who are touched by cancer. Caregivers can sit with others who are helping loved ones. Both groups run at the same time. The last Tuesday of each month Time: 1:30pm to 3:00pmLocation: Enliven space at Ahimsa Yoga Studio Email info@enlivenmuskoka.ca or call (705) 787-5459 to register​

Walk It Out Every Wednesday - 9:00am - 10:00am at Summit Centre Sign up atinfo@enlivenmuskoka.ca or call (705)787-5459 ​​ All walking levels welcome. Come join us for an hour to walk and talk.

A note about our late co-founder...

Joanne Mclean, Founder, Mentor, Sister and Friend

Joanne and I sat in her sunroom one day making sense of the world, as we so often did together, when she turned to me and asked "would you be interested in forming an organization to help people in Muskoka who are dealing with cancer?" I would jump at any invitation to work with Joanne but this one had me right away. Joanne was an unparalleled soul mate for me. She effortlessly guided us all, rallied us to see that we could play a part in reducing the social isolation that comes with this disease. She herself tirelessly researched options for her own breast cancer, which was metastatic into her liver. She was strong, she was vulnerable and disarmingly honest about her own journey, her fears and her struggles.

Joanne sought out the light in everyone that she met. Moreover, she then insisted that we too saw that light in ourselves and that we contracted to shine it out. She called on us all to be the magnificence that she saw in us. She refused to be a victim. Her son Spencer said that cancer didn't beat his mum. It may have taken her body but it never took her spirit. Her spirit will live on in Enliven and through each one of you that is touched by her legacy.

​May we all be the magnificence that our beautiful Joanne lived, breathed and fought for.

​Allie Chisholm-Smith, Enliven Board Member

February, 2019​A note about our new Executive Director:

As I walked home today I knew that I would be writing this piece and my heart was busy. Joanne McLean was not just my co-conspirator in Enliven, she was also my coach. She pushed and stretched me to reach and grow professionally in ways that i would not have been capable of without her. At her celebration of life I said that the challenge now was to be the magnificence that she saw in me. To live it. To embody it.

I don't know what your belief system is but I feel her with me every day. I feel her pulling the strings and propelling me forward on my path. I feel her love and support and an increase in her bossiness from when she was in physical form :)

And so the time has come where i need to shift my role at Enliven. I need to put more energy into Ahimsa and my yoga path while always keeping my love and some energy in Enliven. I will remain working with the board and committees but will no longer act as Executive Director.

​Jackie Riley, systems thinker, believer in healthy work place, is now stepping in and she is going to be brilliant. She will be able to catch the balls that I was dropping and pull together the multiple strings of a growing organization. I am so excited for Enliven that someone so capable has come our way.

Please join me in welcoming Jackie to our fold. I so look forward to what is in store.

Om shanti,allie

Allie Chisholm-Smith

Sterling Silver Enliven Pendant Available for purchase at Muskoka Jewellery Design. Just click on the picture to get yours now and show your support.

Enliven provides proactive self-care services (programs, workshops, events) that support people living with cancer to navigate their journey in positive and productive ways, reducing the social isolation that comes with a cancer diagnosis. Our services are also open to individuals living with cancer and their caregivers. We are a place for healthcare practitioners to recreate, replenish, and engage in dialogue to ensure cohesive and aligned services in our community.

OPERATING COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Programming

Volunteer Coordination

Sharon Herrndorf

Dale Porter

Communications

Allie Chisholm-Smith

Rebecca Ellerson

Dr. Lindsay McMillan

Suzanne Riverin

Disclaimer: ​We do not endorse or recommend any particular products, treatments, services or diagnoses, referred to either specifically or generally within our organization, its programs or communications.Everyone should seek professional advice for all health and treatment decisions.We provide information and listings which some have found to be helpful; however our full disclaimer applies to all such information.

What people are saying about Enliven:

​" This restorative yoga class is a gift. Physically, there is great care taken to accommodate for any limitations. Mentally, the class creates a place to quiet your mind. Emotionally, we are understood. It has been a very supportive experience in my journey with cancer."​Shirley, Class Participant "Thank you so much for today. I found the group very meaningful and I'm already looking forward to the next one. You and Jen did a great job at facilitating and creating a safe and welcoming environment....Thanks again :)" - A Participant